Every year, the Campaign for Working Families recruits, trains, and manages over 500 volunteer tax preparers that staff our 14 free tax sites in Philadelphia neighborhoods.  This service helps low income families take advantage of tax credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit, and avoid getting ripped off by for-profit tax-preparers.  The Campaign brings millions of dollars in tax credits to working Philadelphia families and relies upon organized and personal volunteer recruitment and management.

We are looking for someone who is organized, energetic, and has good interpersonal skills to support our Volunteer Coordinator in preparation for the 2009 tax season.

Specific tasks may include:
•    Assist in volunteer recruitment
o    Attend recruitment events at schools and community events
o    Assist with networking with local universities, companies and organizations
o    Expand and Maintain volunteer recruitment database
•    Maintaining positive and timely communication with volunteers
o    Send weekly updates and reminder emails to volunteers
o    Ensure that all volunteers are satisfied with their experience
o    Respond to volunteer inquiries via email and phone
o    Assist with communication throughout the site placement process
•    Support volunteer trainings
o    Coordination/confirmation of venues
o    Coordinating logistics including food and materials
o    Manage communication of training dates
o    Support development of materials and curriculum
•    Support Retention efforts
o    Assist with volunteer newsletter and end of the tax season party

The Campaign for Working Families is a member organization of the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition and works within a large network of diverse agencies throughout the city.  This internship is a great opportunity to get to know some of these organizations and gain tangible and marketable experience and skills in administration and volunteer management of a large and successful nonprofit program.

Availability: A minimum of 10-15 hours/week beginning November-January
*Must be available first 3 week of January

Contact: Elly Porter-Webb, epwebb@gpuac.org or 215-851-1759

Position Description:    Site Manager (Full/Part-Time Seasonal positions)

Reports to: Director of Operations, Campaign for Working Families

Program:    The Campaign for Working Families facilitates expanded income security to low-wage workers in the Philadelphia region by increasing their access to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and other federal credits, low cost financial services, improved financial planning, and public benefits. During the tax season, the Campaign runs a number of tax sites throughout Philadelphia, staffed primarily by volunteers that provide free tax preparation services for low and moderate income families and individuals.

Purpose of Position:    Provide coordination, organization and supervision for all aspects of a Campaign tax site during the tax filing season. The Site Manager is ultimately responsible for maintaining the quality procedures and processes required by the IRS and Campaign to ensure the overall accuracy of tax returns prepared and e-filed at the site.

Length of Appointment:    Mid-January to May 1, 2010 average of 20 to 45 hours per week, depending upon site assignments.  Must be available for trainings during October through December 2009.

Responsibilities:
•    CUSTOMER SERVICE
o    Create a welcoming atmosphere for tax customers and volunteers
o    Responsible for     all aspects of customer service.

•    SITE OPERATIONS
o    Ensure smooth operations of tax site.
o    Work with site liaison and or site team regarding set up and logistics of the tax site necessary to accommodate the following:
–    Intake
–    Screening
–    Tax Preparation
–    Designated Quality Review
–    Return Close Out (forms and signatures)
o    Attain IRS tax certification at the Intermediate level for volunteer tax preparation.
o    Attain software and tax processing knowledge necessary to support volunteer tax preparers.
o    Maintain electronic filing and confirmation process for tax returns prepared at the site.
–    Transmit tax returns on a timely basis.
–    Verify acceptance of returns via Acknowledgement reports within in 48 hours
–    Manage rejected returns in a timely manner.
o    Prepare required weekly statistical reports for the Campaign for Working Families.
o    Maintain accurate and complete customer files for all taxes completed
o    Manage closedown of the tax site and organization of tax forms and preparation of customer files and data as required by the Campaign
o    Manage Assistant Site Manager such that support/coverage at the tax site is maximized and delegate administrative responsibilities.
o    Maintain effective communication with volunteers and the Campaign.

•    IRS COMPLIANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL
o    Responsible for IRS compliance regarding quality procedures, reviews and site visits.

•    SUPERVISION AND RETENTION OF VOLUNTEERS
o    Support all volunteers by providing tax assistance as required at the site
o    Proactively manage volunteers in terms of scheduling and training to maximize productivity
o    Cross train volunteers to cover all aspects of the tax preparation process beyond tax preparation (quality control; filing; screening customers etc).
o    Focus on volunteer retention and satisfaction to ensure future volunteer availability and ongoing support for the tax site
o    Work to ensure that each volunteer’s opportunity to support the tax site is optimized.

Qualifications:
–    Commitment to the mission of the Campaign for Working Families, the individuals and families we serve
–    Associate or Bachelor’s degree in related field or previous experience with VITA or computer tax preparation software.
–    Ability to obtain IRS volunteer tax certification at the Intermediate or higher level
–    Organizational and leadership/management skills including previous supervisory experience
–    Communication and interviewing skills
–    Basic tax knowledge (Form 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ) desired; prior tax software experience desirable.
–    Ability to work with the public, volunteers, and partners in a helpful and supportive manner.
–    Must have daily access to e-mail and a PC either at home or professionally.
–    Computer literacy including Microsoft Office/Excel required; database experience is a plus.
–    Willingness to work in hectic, ever-changing environment with good humor.
–    High energy, organized, professional, outgoing personality required for success in this position.

Interested parties should send cover letter and resume to:

Mildred Chavarria
Director of Operations
Campaign for Working Families
1207 Chestnut Street, 5th floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
mchavarria@gpuac.org

Reports to:     Site Manager & Director of Operations, Campaign for Working Families

Program:    The Campaign for Working Families facilitates expanded income security to low-wage workers in the Philadelphia region by increasing their access to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and other federal credits, low cost financial services, improved financial planning, and public benefits. During the tax season, the Campaign runs a number of tax sites throughout Philadelphia, staffed primarily by volunteers that provide free tax preparation services for low and moderate income families and individuals.

Purpose of Position:    Supports the Site Manager/Coordinator in the coordination, organization and supervision for all aspects of a Campaign the tax site during the tax filing season.

Length of Appointment:    Seasonal, Part-Time (20-45hours per week) position, no benefits.  Mid-January to May 1, 2009.  Training occurs during period of October 2009 through January 2010.  Candidates must be available for training and to work Saturdays and evenings during the tax season.

Responsibilities:
•    CUSTOMER SERVICE
o    Create a welcoming atmosphere for tax customers and volunteers; responsible for     all aspects of customer service
o    Provide respectful and comfortable environment for volunteers and clients

•    SITE OPERATIONS
o    Support Site Manager/Coordinator in the effort to ensure smooth operations of tax site.
o    Obtain proficiency in the TaxWise and various software programs used in the tax preparation process at the tax sites
o    Support the site manager in the tax site set up process in the beginning of the tax season, including designing client flow, physical space (waiting area, location of tax preparers, printer and fax hook-ups, files, etc.)

Work with the site manager to ensure the following:
–    Accurate customer files are maintained
–    Electronic filing process and confirmation process is maintained as follows:
•    Tax returns are transmitted in a timely manner.
•    Acceptance of returns are verified via Acknowledgement reports
•    Rejected returns are followed up in a timely manner
–    Data required by the Campaign including downloaded TaxWise reports, spread sheets and final reports are submitted.
–    Site is represented for all weekly conference calls and meetings required by Campaign for Working Families
–    Manage or perform any other administrative duties as requested by the site manager.
–    Support the timely closedown of the tax site as requested by the Campaign and ensure that all final instructions regarding the organization of tax forms and files are adhered to and that tax forms and files are available for delivery/pick up as scheduled.

•    IRS COMPLIANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL
o    Responsible for working with Site Manager/Coordinator in maintaining compliance with IRS privacy, security and quality guidelines and procedures.  Support IRS Shopping and Site reviews as required.

•    SUPERVISION AND RETENTION OF VOLUNTEERS
o    Support all volunteers by providing tax assistance as required at the site
o    Proactively manage volunteers in terms of scheduling and training at the site beyond tax preparation to include other aspects of the tax site operations (quality control; filing; screening customers etc).

Qualifications:
–    Commitment to the mission of the Campaign for Working Families and the individuals and families we serve
–    Associate or Bachelor’s degree in related field or previous experience with VITA or computer tax preparation program.
–    Basic tax knowledge (Form 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ) and experience with tax software desirable or ability to learn and obtain IRS tax certifications.
–    Ability to work with the public, volunteers, and partners in a helpful and supportive manner.
–    Daily access to e-mail.
–    Computer literacy including Microsoft Excel spreadsheets
–    Willingness to work in hectic, ever-changing environment with good humor.
–    High energy, organized, professional and outgoing personality are required for success in this position.

Resumes and letters of interest should be mailed to:
Mildred Chavarria, Operations Director
Campaign for Working Families
1207 Chestnut Street, 5th Floor
Phila., PA 19107
via e-mail (mchavarria@gpuac.org)

Seeking highly motivated and mature individuals with above average PC and software skills (Excel and PowerPoint) to fill Operations Intern positions for the 2009-2010 tax season.  Individuals should also possess strong quantitative skills, accounting or tax preparation experience.  This is a great training internship opportunity for junior and or senior Accounting and Finance majors.  Interns will be engaged in various roles at the Campaign including site management and operations/administrative support.  Duties and responsibilities may expand based upon individual strengths and schedule availability.  Interns will work an average of 20 hours per week during period of Oct-Nov., 2009; Jan-April 2010.

•    Compensation:    $TBD
o    To be paid under a contract as a monthly stipend
o    Contract subject to re-approval/cancellation on a monthly basis

•    Responsibilities to include :
o    Participation in Site Management Training (approximately a total of  30-40  hours during period of Oct. 2009-Jan 2010)
o    Obtain IRS tax certification at the Intermediate or Advanced level
o    Provide Support to Technology & Operations Manager in terms of transportation and equipment needs
o    Support logistics of Planning and Set up of Tax Operations for the 2010 tax season
–    Support update/input to IRS database for EFIN and site hours
–    Support IRS supply request process
–    Support/verify site data/information for 800# phone messages and outreach materials
o    Support Logistics  (delivery of materials; confirmation of set up etc) for Volunteer Tax Training Sessions
o    Provide tax preparation/management support to 2 tax sites (to be determined)  during the tax season; average of 15-20 hours per week
o    Support input of weekly data from tax sites
o    Prepare monthly statistical management report on Tax Site Operations
o    Provide support of budget monitoring process and payroll approval
o    Support Supply process for Tax Sites (delivery and process of requests)
o    Support preparation of agenda and materials for Weekly Site Management call
o    Provide minutes from Weekly Site Management call
o    Support resolution process for customer complaints
o    Support updates and responses as appropriate to incoming calls on the CWF Customer Tax Line
•    Will support the Operations Director in various projects outlined below:
o    Super Sites
–    Assist in the establishment of a Super Site Tax Site Models
•    Assist in the exploration and identification of space & facility options
•    Assist in the exploration and development of funding options
•    Assist in the exploration and development of equipment options
•    Assist and or manage in the process of getting the tax sites equipped and set up for operation

o    Staff Training
–    Support the Expansion and Redesign of the curriculum for Site Manager training
•    Assist in developing and finalizing the Curriculum
•    Assist in the identification of materials to support the curriculum
•    Support the preparation and development of  PowerPoint presentations
•    Assist with scheduling venues and confirming attendance
•    Assist with finalizing the logistical needs associated with each training

o    Volunteer Tax Preparation Training
–    Support the Operations Director and Volunteer Coordinator in Expanding and redesigning the Tax Preparation Training Model
•    Assist in identifying and finalizing training venues
•    Assist in identifying materials to support presentation of the training curriculum
•    Support the development, quality review and reproduction of presentation materials
•    Support the process of finalizing the logistical needs associated with training, AV, food and transport of materials

o    Operations Data Management
–    Support the redesign of the database utilized by the Campaign to track site results
•    Support the weekly input and update of the database and reports
•    Assist in analyzing data from weekly reports and quality review audits

For more information, contact Megan Kiesel at MKiesel@gpuac.org.

People, Place, & Partners: Building and Sustaining Engagement in Critical Times

As the first decade of the 21st century comes to a close, pressing social and economic challenges have brought renewed attention to the importance of volunteerism and service in civic life. In these critical times, a national call for service is engaging citizens of all ages in creating innovative solutions for recovery. This dialogue brings new focus on the potential of service-learning and civic engagement to address local and global problems and to engage students, faculty, and community partners in civic renewal. Along with the growing needs in our communities, colleges and universities are also facing the challenge of building and sustaining engagement initiatives with limited resources. This conflict between crisis and opportunity raises many questions: As engagement comes of age, what role will people, place, and partners play in creating models for service-learning and civic engagement? How will we maintain quality as demand for service opportunities increases and resources tighten? How will place be understood as students and faculty engage in service-learning in both local and global contexts?

http://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/conferences/gulf_south/proposals.phtml

Proposal Deadline October 19, 2009 (Firm)

Young People Invited to Submit After-School Projects for Do Something Grants

Do Something and JCPenney have teamed up to support youth-led afterschool programs and projects across the United States.

The program partners will award ten grants of $500 each and five grand-prize grants of $1,000 each to young people who have started afterschool activities that help youth in their community.

Visit the Do Something Web site for complete program information and project posting guidelines.

http://www.dosomething.org/grants/afterschool

Join the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition (GPUAC) on Friday, September 18th from 9:00-12:00 p.m. at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

GPUAC’s Foreclosure Prevention Task Force is sponsoring this training to help you learn about foreclosure and how it affects the emotional well-being of homeowners.  Through this you will be trained in strategies on how to empower friends and family to help people they care about in their time of need.

This event is free, but registration is limited.  Currently there are 22 spots available.  Registration and a light breakfast will open at 8:15 and the training will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Please RSVP no later than noon on Tuesday September 15th to Rachel Moore at 215-851-1847 or via e-mail at rmoore@gpuac.org

What: The U.S. Census Bureau will hold an online news conference to announce the findings from its annual report: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2008. This report contains the official national findings from the Current Population Survey (CPS).

The Web conference will consist of a simultaneous audio conference and online presentation. There will be no physical event associated with this Web conference. Information on accessing the Web conference is provided below.

Reporters will be able to ask questions via the audio conference once the presentation is complete. Broadcast quality video sound bites on the findings will be available online. For information about setting up an interview with a subject matter expert, see below.

Note: Local data for income, poverty and health insurance coverage will be available Tuesday, Sept. 22, when the Census Bureau releases new socio-economic, housing and demographic data from the 2008 American Community Survey.

When: Thursday, Sept. 10, 10 a.m. EDT

Who: David Johnson, chief, Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division, U.S. Census Bureau

The CPS report, data tables, news and video sound bites release will be posted online shortly after the Web conference begins and can be accessed by clicking on the income, poverty and health insurance icon in the top left corner of the Census Bureau’s home page http://www.census.gov.

Conference details:
Audio conference ― access information
Toll free number: 888-810-9649
Participant passcode: 2010 CENSUS

Online presentation ― access information

Please login early, as some setup is required.

URL: https://www.mymeetings.com/nc/join/
Conference/meeting number: PW8906246
Conference/meeting passcode: 2010 CENSUS

The federal poverty measure is deeply flawed, writes Mark Greenberg of the Center for American Progress. Established in the 1960s and “low and in many ways arbitrary,” current poverty metrics don’t consider tax credits and food stamps, omit key family expenses, and don’t adjust for geographical variation. Important federal policies, drafted to aid families, continue to fall short. The pending Measuring American Poverty Act would direct the Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics to adopt measures based on recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). An NAS panel would develop a “decent living standard” measure that would be considerably higher than even an improved poverty measure. Whether or not this moves forward, the Obama administration can adopt a new “decent living standard” administratively without awaiting legislation. “Now is the logical time for the administration or Congress to act to improve the poverty measure,” Greenberg writes. “Doing so would provide a more accurate picture of how many people are falling into poverty during the recession and who they are, and it would ensure that the administration’s policies and performance can be gauged against a consistent measure that reflects the impacts of a broad range of policies.”

Read more: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/08/new_poverty_measure.html

9/11 is a date none of us will ever forget.

Mayor Nutter will commemorate the first September 11 National Day of Remembrance and Service by bringing Philadelphians together to highlight our city’s commitment to community service and volunteerism.  This day of service – PhillyServes Day – offers every Philadelphian the opportunity to serve their community and to make a lasting impact on the lives of other Philadelphians.

Greater Philadelphia Cares is proud to join Mayor Nutter in this effort and present two hands-on volunteer opportunites:

Project 1  South Philadelphia H.O.M.E.S.
9:00am – 2:00pm

South Philadelphia H.O.M.E.S. is a non-profit organization dedicated to the creation of quality affordable housing and improving the quality of life for residents of the Point Breeze section of South Philadelphia.

Volunteers will be helping to beautify the neighborhood of Point Breeze by clearing lots of weeds and debris, sweeping streets, and possibly painting over some graffiti.

Project 2 West Tasker Street Neighborhood Clean-Up

Help this local neighborhood get the 3100 block of West Tasker street into shape.  Work alongside residents and help erase urban blight.

To volunteer, please contact Terry Baxter at terry@gpcares.com or 215-564-4544.  Please indicate which project you’re interested in and include your full name, phone and email.

In addition, the Mayor, along with Global Citizen and MLK 365, will put the focus on service by hosting a public Volunteer Fair in City Hall Courtyard.  From 9am – 2pm, over 65 organizations will be on hand to offer information to citizens who want to learn about and sign up for hundreds of ongoing volunteer opportunities around the city.

Then from 4pm – 6pm, the Mayor, in partnership with Greater Philadelphia Cares, City Year, AARP, and SEPTA, is organizing volunteers to give away thousands of free children’s books to parents of young children. Volunteers will help promote reading and boost child literacy across the city by giving parents more books at home to read to their kids.

As citizens across the country remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Mayor Nutter asks Philadelphians to honor the sacrifice made on that day by volunteering their time and helping make Philadelphia a city of service.

The West Philadelphia High School Community Partners are beginning a new initiative to reach out to parents. We will be doing home visits, house meetings, and calls to absent students. We need your help to make a change. We are seeking individuals who would be willing to volunteer one evening per week to make phone calls or visit homes of parents of West Philadelphia High School students. West Philadelphia High School is trying to make a major turn-around, but we can’t do it without the help of the community. Student attendance and parent involvement are major problems, but we believe that by having caring community members reach out to parents, we can make a difference.

Training and recognition awards provided.

To sign up or for more information, contact Eric Braxton at 215-665-1400 x 3312 or ebraxton@philaedfund.org.

The West Philadelphia High School Community Partners is a group of students, parents, teachers, and community members working to improve education at West. The Community Partners are supported by the
Philadelphia Education Fund.

Introduction: The Kensington South Neighborhood Advisory Council (KSNAC) is a non-profit, city-funded organization that is currently looking for a Program Coordinator to head its office. If you are a candidate with an interest in community organizing and a passion for empowering community residents this is the career for you. The NAC Coordinator must have a sense of mission, be customer service oriented, and have the skills necessary to work in a diverse community. The following is a synopsis of the requirements for the position of NAC Coordinator.

Function: Provide advocacy and community organizing functions in the greater Kensington South service area (zipcode19122/23). Perform duties required of Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) under the standard contract with the City of Philadelphia, Organize and implement innovative initiatives, activities and events to promote citizen participation in neighborhood and community improvement.

Responsibilities:
•    Refer residents to sources of assistance in city government and other organizations
•    Pennsylvania property tax, rental rebates and energy assistance application (LIHEAP) completion
•    Provide assistance to residents and civic groups on city planning and zoning matters
•    Provide capacity-building assistance to community groups for neighborhood improvement
•    Organize, promote and conduct community meetings, briefings, special events and projects.
•    Assist with NAC board elections; maintain records of residential voting requirements
•    Create and periodically update directory of community resources.
•    Develop and implement system to disseminate information about neighborhood activities and events
•    Develop and coordinate the publication of weekly news article and quarterly newsletter
•    Represent the organization at meetings and events pertinent to its mission
•    Assist with the researching of grant opportunities
•    Maintain business relations with elected and city officials
•    `Responsible for implementation of OHCD contract; invoicing, contract compliance and operational requirements
•    Professional interaction with all volunteers and staff
•    Communicate all organization’s activity by written report to Executive Board
•    Create office procedures. Develop and maintain appropriate records and reporting files for NAC services to include database of neighborhood issues
•    All other duties as assigned

Qualifications and requirements:
•    Bachelor’s degree or two (2) years post secondary education with related experience
•    Ability to organize and empower residents and build organizational coalitions
•    Ability to prioritize, multi task and meet deadlines
•    Ability to work independently and collaboratively
•    Writing skills
•    Technical/computer skills; basic web, database and Microsoft Office knowledge
•    Knowledge of grant research and writing
•    Excellent interpersonal skills, leadership ability, and self-motivation

Salary:  25 K
Please forward your resume along with a writing sample to info@ksnac.org and reference Program Coordinator in the subject line. Phone inquiries at 215-427-3463

Over the past 10 years ELP has been helping emerging leaders from academia, business, government and the non-profit sector to strengthen and refine their leadership capacity. Through our residential learning program, Fellows are continually challenged and inspired by their peers, trainers and ELP staff to move their professional and personal goals to the next level.

“I’ve never been in a room with this type of personal and professional commitment, passion or intellectual capital”

Brian Salazar, ELP Senior Fellow

For more information or to apply, click here.

http://www.elpnet.org/2010_applications.php

http://www.thenotebook.org/fall-guide-2009/091627/fall-guide-2009

The Guide has vital information about the new school year and Philadelphia public schools, both District and charter. The spotlight this year is on high schools and the high school selection process. We think you’ll find the guide a valuable reference source worth saving – it includes profiles and data on all the city’s District and charter high schools.

Even though the school year hasn’t started yet, time is of the essence for eighth graders who will be applying to high school or for any student interested in transferring — the application deadline for both transfers and applying to District high schools for next fall is less than two months away – October 30. Please forward this guide to anyone you know who will be heading back to school.

The Guide will be distributed to all District and charter schools over the next several days. You can also pick up a copy at sites around town.

We’re working on posting profiles of all of the District and charter high schools, and making them easy to access and search. Right now, several articles from the guide are available on our site as well as the PDF of the entire edition. Check the site for articles about what’s new in the District, selecting a high school, new charter schools, and “what they wished they knew.” Check back soon for high school data and profiles, and articles in Spanish.

http://www.thenotebook.org/sites/default/files/editionpdfs/FallGuide2009web.pdf

This guide is the first of two extra editions of the Notebook to be published this year. Our regular fall edition will be out in just three weeks. We’ve also expanded coverage on our site–keep checking back for daily updates.

ASAP/After School Activities Partnerships will release its annual Directory of After School Recreation and Enrichment Activities, which will be published as a supplement to the Philadelphia Daily News, on Wed. September 16 and distributed at the Clothespin, 15th and Market Streets, from 8-9 am and 12-1:30 pm.  The Directory contains more than 1,000 after school programs organized by zip code to assist parents, caregivers and people who work with kids.  Directories also will be available at any branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia as well as public schools.  Please see the ASAP website, http://www.phillyasap.org for further information and program updates.

Plan to attend this statewide conference on October 19-21, 2009 at the Radisson Hotel Valley Forge in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

The conference will focus on methods to build capacity and support literacy development, parent engagement efforts and educational and support services that address migrant students’ special needs.

Who should attend? All who work on behalf of migrant children, youth and families.

There is no registration fee to attend this conference and Act 48 will be available (pending approval).  Additional details and online registration for this event are available on the Center for Schools and Communities’ Migrant Education website at http://migrant.center-school.org/index.cfm?pageid=4069

Please share this excellent professional development opportunity with your networks!

Celebrate Afterschool!
NJ’s Annual Afterschool Conference
November 13th and 14th, 2009
in Princeton, NJ.

This year NJ”s partners include:

– NJ Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development
– Amerigroup:Community Care
– NJ Department of Education
– NIOST
– NJ 4H
– Young Audiences
– NJ Principals and Supervisors Association and the Foundation for Educational Administration : Aligning the Learning Day: Collaborative Strategies for Principals and Afterschool Program Directors

Go to: http://www.njsacc.org to view conference and registration details

New school, new grade, new friends-new behaviors! Start the school year on the right path by attending this FREE webinar on “Best in Behavior”. Administered via the Internet and a phone line, tune in for some
practical tips on including children with challenging behaviors into your child, youth, and teen programs.

Who should attend:
-Early Childhood Providers
-Youth Development Program Administrators
-Out-of-School Time Staff
-Camp Directors
-Inclusion Facilitators
-Therapeutic Recreation Specialists

The mission of Kids Included Together (KIT) is to support child and youth development programs that include children with and without disabilities. KIT’s National Training Center on Inclusion provides training and technical support to child and youth professionals so that children of all abilities can engage in community programs.

To RSVP: If you would like to take advantage of this great opportunity, please email our Program Assistant, Amanda Caruso, at Amanda@kitonline.org.

Unlock your potential to serve all children and register today!

ABOUT COMPUTERS FOR YOUTH
Computers for Youth (CFY) is tackling an important national problem—across our country, we are failing to provide low-income children the support they need during the critical middle school years. As a result, test scores (particularly in math) are falling between the fifth and sixth grades. CFY’s approach is innovative and effective. Unlike efforts that focus solely on the classroom, CFY helps low-income students do better academically by improving their learning environment at home. Specifically, CFY partners with high-poverty middle schools to improve the educational resources in students’ homes, enhance parent-child interaction around learning, and help teachers connect classroom learning with the home. Our innovative technology (topnotch educational software loaded onto refurbished computers) in conjunction with family training both enriches students’ home learning environment and increases the confidence of their parents as learning partners. CFY has shown significant results on student test scores, class effort and parental confidence in helping their children learn. Over the past decade, we have reached more than 35,000 students and parents from 50 schools in New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, the San Francisco Bay area and Los Angeles. In addition, we’re growing our Affiliate Network to reach all 50 U.S. states and beginning to work on a national scale to influence education policy. For more information, please visit http://www.cfy.org.

ASSOCIATE DESCRIPTION
The Computers for Youth Technology Associate will provide desktop support and manage inventory while supporting children and families during the Family Learning Workshops. Technology Associates work directly with CFY’s Technology Coordinator to ensure that our Family Learning Workshops run smoothly and that the students and parents we serve have an excellent training experience.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
o On Friday afternoons, assist with the set-up of classrooms at schools; i.e. prepare classrooms with desks and chairs, run electrical cables, set up computers, monitors and peripherals, etc.
o During workshops on Saturdays, help solve any technical problems that may arise and provide desktop support to families who have technical questions.
o Assist with the security and safety of CFY’s computer equipment during workshops.
o After workshops, breakdown classrooms, inventory and pack away equipment.
o Assist whenever necessary with the delivery of computer equipment to local schools.
o Other duties as necessary.

This position requires work on Friday afternoons and Saturdays — specifically, November 6-7, 13-14; December 12-13; spring dates TBD.

QUALIFICATIONS
o A+ and basic networking skills are a plus.
o Some experience with computer systems and architecture.
o Ability to communicate clearly and accurately.
o Enjoys working with families and students.
o Proficiency in Spanish and other languages is a plus
o Team-player who is also capable of working independently or with minimal oversight.
o Problem-solver.
o Able to lift a minimum of 30lbs.

TO APPLY: Please send a resume and a brief cover letter to mrashid@cfy.org using the subject line: CFY-PHL Technology Associate Search. Submission deadline: September 14, 2009. Computers for Youth is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds.

ABOUT COMPUTERS FOR YOUTH
Computers for Youth (CFY) is tackling an important national problem—across our country, we are failing to provide low-income children the support they need during the critical middle school years. As a result, test scores (particularly in math) are falling between the fifth and sixth grades. CFY’s approach is innovative and effective. Unlike efforts that focus solely on the classroom, CFY helps low-income students do better academically by improving their learning environment at home. Specifically, CFY partners with high-poverty middle schools to improve the educational resources in students’ homes, enhance parent-child interaction around learning, and help teachers connect classroom learning with the home. Our innovative technology (topnotch educational software loaded onto refurbished computers) in conjunction with family training both enriches students’ home learning environment and increases the confidence of their parents as learning partners. CFY has shown significant results on student test scores, class effort and parental confidence in helping their children learn. Over the past decade, we have reached more than 35,000 students and parents from 50 schools in New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. We are now growing our Affiliate Network to reach all 50 U.S. states and beginning to work on a national scale to
influence education policy. For more information, please visit http://www.cfy.org.

PHILADELPHIA GOALS
Since the launch of the Philadelphia office in spring 2006, we’ve distributed over 2,100 home computer systems for students in more than 14 middle schools, including more than 400 families in FY08-09. Over the next two years, we intend to serve up to 1,000 families in the Philadelphia area.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The ideal candidate for the Technology Coordinator position has the proven ability to coordinate technical support activities for CFY, ensuring that the students and parents who participate in our Family Learning Workshops have an excellent training experience and can successfully utilize their home learning centers (refurbished computers loaded with educational software.)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Facilitate delivery and storage of CFY home learning centers for CFY Family Learning Workshops held at local schools in the city of Philadelphia.
• Visit school(s) with the Director to ensure that the school building(s) are able to meet the technical requirements of the CFY program.
• Track and record an accurate inventory of equipment before and after each workshop.
• Direct the work of part-time technology assistants.
• Set up and breakdown classrooms for workshops at schools on Friday afternoons and on Saturdays before and after each session.
• Solve any technical problems that arise during workshops, including repairing non-functioning home learning centers and providing desktop support to families who have technical questions.
• Provide ongoing tech support to CFY families by repairing home learning centers as necessary. Repairs may be completed on school campuses during the school week.
• Provide technical support to the CFY staff members in the Philadelphia office.

Note: This position requires work on Fridays and Saturdays. Travel in the city of Philadelphia also required.

QUALIFICATIONS
• Technical Associates Degree or equivalent experience.
• A+ Certification and networking skills or equivalent experience.
• 1+ years of relevant experience with computer systems and architecture. Can include work done in a learning environment.
• Ability to use all Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Superior relationship or “people” skills.
• Enjoys working with families and students.
• Proficiency in Spanish is a plus.
• Team-player who is also capable of working independently and with minimal oversight.
• Problem-solver.
• Detail oriented.

TO APPLY: Please send a resume and a brief cover letter to mrashid@cfy.org using the subject line: CFY-PHL Technology Coordinator Search. Submission deadline: September 14, 2009. Computers for Youth is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds.